WMRA News

Abingdon, VA – With the dangers of nuclear power playing out in Japan, fighting in Libya pushing oil prices up, and climate scientists pointing an accusing finger at coal, America is desperate for some energy alternatives.

One that seemed promising is natural gas, a relatively clean burning fuel.

But critics now say the process of getting gas from the ground may be risky.

One of these mistakes, concerning the birthplace of Pete Hill, a Baseball Hall of Fame baseball player you've probably never heard of, was corrected recently with the unveiling of a new historical marker by the side of the road in Culpeper.

Western State Hospital has long been Virginia's "last resort" for the severely mentally ill, but thanks to new drug therapies and recovery-focused treatment plans, today's hospital bears little resemblance to the place once known as Western Lunatic Asylum.

Harrisonburg, VA – The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange was founded nearly 35 years ago, and closes out its latest project, "Ferocious Beauty: Genome," January 23, 2011, at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University. The show was inspired by the mapping of the human genome. Liz Lerman, founder of the Dance Exchange, talks about the unusual combination of science and dance.

Eastern Shore, VA – The Department of Fish and Wildlife reports a 20% decrease in hunting license sales in Virginia over the last decade. Those license fees support many of the state's conservation lands. Which translates to less money available to maintain those lands.

Grayson Chesser is a duck decoy carver and hunting guide on Virginia's Eastern Shore who is concerned about the state's hunting heritage.

Charlottesville, VA – Late last year, Governor Bob McDonnell announced the formation of a new committee to help state and local law enforcement get a grip on street gangs. McDonnell warned that gangs now threaten the safety of Virginians everywhere, but no one knows how many gang members are at large in the Commonwealth or how dangerous they really are... and Sandy Hausman reports that tough anti-gang laws may be doing more harm than good.

Harrisonburg, VA – Earlier this week, researchers from James Madison University and the College of William and Mary appeared on WMRA's Virginia Insight to reveal what they've been discovering about how people come to believe what they believe.

Lexington, VA – The subprime mortgage crisis of 2008 involved more than just less-than-qualified applicants eager for a deal on a mortgage. Some lenders engaged in fraudulent practices designed to deceive homeowners and mortgage brokers. Earlier, Bob Leweke asked Mike Hudson, a reporter with the Center for Public Integrity, for examples of these subprime predatory sales practices.

Lexington, VA – The subprime mortgage crisis of 2008 involved more than just less-than-qualified applicants eager for a deal on a mortgage. Some lenders engaged in fraudulent practices designed to deceive homeowners and mortgage brokers. Earlier, Bob Leweke asked Mike Hudson, a reporter with the Center for Public Integrity, for examples of these subprime predatory sales practices.

Staunton, VA – WMRA's Tom Graham sat down with Steve Nichols, who heads up the school division for Staunton City schools and has just been named by the University of Virginia as its "Superintendent of the Year."

Charlottesville, VA – If you know anyone who ever consumes beef, pork, or lamb -- you may want to make sure they know about new findings coming out of the University of Virginia.

WMRA's Tom Graham has been tracking the latest developments. He tells us that ongoing research into a serious type of tick-induced food allergy could be especially important to anyone who spends much time "out in nature."

Winchester, VA – Monday evening on All Things Considered you may remember hearing about the results of a study by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which found that public libraries nationwide continue to expand their digital services while facing budget cuts and shortened operating hours. And libraries in our area are no exception.

Richmond, VA – Virginia's General Assembly reached its "Crossover Day" earlier this week, which is the point by which legislation other that budget matters had to have been approved by either the State Senate or the House in order to stay alive this session.

WMRA's Tom Graham was spending time at the state capitol again this week and spoke with Bob Leweke about the main focus in Richmond.